Backup QB scores late TD as Tabb beats Warhill 10-7

After a vicious hit knocked Tabb starting quarterback Daniel Schiele out of the game with less than a minute remaining, the Tigers found themselves without their best quarterback and running back on the field.

But, as they have all season for the Tigers, the next man stepped up.

Thomas St. John, filling in for Schiele, scored on a quarterback rollout with 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give Tabb (3-6) a 10-7 victory Thursday night over Warhill (2-7) at Wanner Stadium.

Showing confidence in his team, Tabb coach Matt Lawson called a rollout for St. John, normally a punter and halfback, on the Tigers' final offensive play.

"I saw my starting quarterback go down and I knew I was the next guy and my heart went up into my throat," St. John said. "It was a rollout and I just tried to throw my hand up (as a decoy) to make their guys go back a little bit."

St. John's touchdown capped a comeback in which the Tigers scored all 10 of their points in the second half.

After leading 7-0 at the half, Warhill was pinned on its 2-yard line, thanks to a 42-yard punt by St. John. Tigers defensive tackle Aaron Macfarlane soon sacked Warhill quarterback Shaun Cvengros in the end zone for a safety.

"Other than the early touchdown and that play, we just did a great job defensively," Lawson said. "I'm real proud of our defense. They are playing really good."

The only points Tabb surrendered came with 8:45 remaining in the first quarter, as Randall Owens scored to give the Lions a 7-0 lead. The senior running back took a direct snap and hit an opening just off the left guard before sprinting 42 yards down the sidelines to put Warhill on top.

Tabb only managed 124 yards of offense, all on the ground, in the first half. The Tigers played without running back Andrew Junio, but sophomore Jake Brown stepped up, rushing for 65 yards on 19 carries.

The Tigers took the field with renewed intensity in the second half, holding Warhill scoreless on an eight-minute drive that spanned parts of the third and fourth quarter.

Warhill drove to the Tigers' 11-yard line on that drive, thanks to a Tabb roughing-the-punter penalty. But the Lions' Ryan Ristaino missed a 28-yard field goal to give the Tigers one more shot.

From there, Schiele led the Tigers 74 yards down the field, connecting with receivers Cody Norris and Michael Quintana for the first time all game.

Schiele attempted to score on third-and-goal but was injured on the play, forcing St.John to fill in for the starter.

As it has been for the Tigers all season, the next man stepped up.

"We haven't had the team success as far as win-losses this year," Lawson said. "But we have great kids and they come out every day."